Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell DD about presents that won't arrive in time?

19 replies

AverageContents · 22/12/2020 07:00

DD's main present was ordered from the US three months ago, but, due to various cock-ups at their end, won't arrive in time and I'm still chasing them for a delivery date.

I also booked to see a show that she's very excited about. This was also a Christmas present for her, but has been postponed from the of Dec (tier four).

DH says that I shouldn't mention them, on Christmas Day, as it would be cruel. A bit like "Look what you could have won"...

However, I still think that, at some point, these presents will materialise and so she should be told about them.

AIBU? Thanks.

OP posts:
Nottherealslimshady · 22/12/2020 07:03

How old is she? When presents aren't arriving yet we print a picture and write it up as a voucher. Shit happens, she'll be excited it's coming, not upset it's not here yet if she's got other presents.

Justanotherdayina · 22/12/2020 07:03

Could you say that you have a couple of other suprises, yet to come?

Original poster
AverageContents · 22/12/2020 07:08

She's just turned thirteen.

They are her 'biggest' presents, but she will have other things too. 🙂

OP posts:
pilates · 22/12/2020 07:09

I agree with you she should be told.

JingleJohnsJulie · 22/12/2020 07:10

DDs main present isn't arriving in time. Hers and her DB were ordered at the same time from the same company. His turned up within a week and the delivery date on hers keeps getting out back. We've tried and we can't get it from anywhere else.

We've decided to tel her. She will see DS open his main present and won't have a main present herself. She was actually really cool about it. Think that might possibly be because it's what she really wanted and couldn't believe she was getting it.

ShirleyPhallus · 22/12/2020 07:10

She should be told, if they’re her main two presents she’ll feel a bit hard done by. And at 13, if she was anything like me, her hormones at that a will make sure that you know exactly how she feels about that Wink

SushiGo · 22/12/2020 07:10

I think at 13, I would dress it up as vouchers/iou. She will appreciate knowing they are coming.

NoPinkPlease · 22/12/2020 07:11

I print a pic too when that happens. You can't not tell her or she could be disappointed for no reason

NoSquirrels · 22/12/2020 07:11

13 - of COURSE you tell her! Then she can be excited you tried. And excited when they arrive/occur.

lyinginthegutterstaringatstars · 22/12/2020 07:13

Ds7 knows and accepts that his gifts from his grandparents will be late arriving. If a 7 year old can cope with a gift delay I'm sure a 13 year can too.

missbipolar · 22/12/2020 07:14

Actually I wouldnt tell her as it could be months before it actually arrives

Dovesandkisses · 22/12/2020 07:14

Tell her! At least she will be able to tell her friends what she has got lined up (kids that age care about stuff like that).

Can you print off a picture of the gift from America and stick it on a bit of card to make it look likea fancy gift voucher explaining that it is in transit.

Maybe another fancy homemade voucher for the show or a small gift that represents show? E.g a witches hat for wicked. Just so she has two more things to open. At 13 she is old enough to appreciate what is happening in the world and why there are delays but at least she will know she has been thought of.

missbipolar · 22/12/2020 07:15

And also if you tell her and they don't arrive at all then that's a hard conversation that would of needed to occur if she didn't know about them

Rewis · 22/12/2020 07:15

I'd print a picture of the thing and and turn it into a gift card that would say that it is arriving soon and pop that in an envelope and give it when giving other presents.

So yeah, I'd tell. She is 13. It's weirder if a present pops up randomly. Unless you'd then save it for bday or something.

OllysArmy · 22/12/2020 07:26

We have used homemade gift cards for years with D.C. as presents have included days out, holiday surprises and gifts that have either not turned up or would be discounted heavily in the sales. Not whilst the Santa magic was still here but through senior school.
This year somehow I have managed all but 1 present, however there are no days out or holidays as we haven’t managed last years yet!

JillofTrades · 22/12/2020 07:29

She is 13 why can't you just tell her exactly what happened. I don't understand the drawing up vouchers and big dilemma around this. Just tell her before hand and ask her if she would like anything else until it arrives.

WhatwouldJudydo · 22/12/2020 07:30

I would say she has a couple more and not tell her what though! I said to the kids with tier 4 they may not be getting everything on time and they seemed quite excited - my 11 year old told me it would be like eating the leftover Easter eggs after easter! 😂

corythatwas · 22/12/2020 07:53

She is 13, I would definitely tell her. Make her a voucher, make it fun. Can you draw? Even better usually if you can't draw very well. If her main presents are missing she should be told.

partyatthepalace · 22/12/2020 08:14

If they are her main presents surely she’d be a lot more upset if she didn’t know they are coming?!

I’d make 2 cards or vouchers and stick under tree. Emphasise it’s fun to have something to look forward to.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page